Multifunctional Leather Surface Design by Using Carbon Nanotube-Based Composites.

This paper deals with original research in smart leather surface design for the development of multifunctional properties by using multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-based nanocomposites. The conductive properties were demonstrated for both sheepskin and bovine leather surfaces for 0.5% MWCNTs in finishing nanocompositions with prospects for new material design intended for flexible electronics or multifunctional leathers. The photocatalytic properties of bovine leather surface treated with 0.5% MWCNTs were shown against an olive oil stain after visible light exposure and were attributed to reactive oxygen species generation and supported by contact angle measurements in dynamic conditions. The volatile organic compounds' decomposition and antibacterial tests confirmed the self-cleaning experimental conclusions. Ultraviolet protection factor had excellent values for leather surfaces treated with multi-walled carbon nanotube and the fastness resistance tests showed improved performance compared to control samples. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy analysis confirmed the influence of different leather surfaces on MWCNT dispersion with an effect on nanoparticle reactivity and efficiency in self-cleaning properties. Multifunctional leather surfaces were designed and demonstrated through MWCNT-based nanocomposite use under conventional finishing conditions.

The influence of sugar-protein complexes on the thermostability of C-reactive protein (CRP).

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate de influence of protein-sugar complexation on the stability and functionality of C-reactive protein, after exposure to constant high temperatures, in order to develop highly stable positive controls for in-vitro diagnostic tests. C-reactive protein is a plasmatic protein used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of a series of health problems such as ulcerative colitis, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, due to its essential role in the evolution of chronic inflammation. The sugar-protein interaction was investigated using steady state and time resolved fluorescence. The results revealed that there are more than two classes of tryptophan, with different degree of accessibility for the quencher molecule. Our study also revealed that sugar-protein complexes have superior thermostability, especially after gamma irradiation at 2 kGy, the protein being stable and functional even after 22 days exposure to 40 °C.